Exhibition "Fascinating Universe" at the Natural History Museum in Fribourg, in collaboration with the Foundation Robert A. Naef.
16.05.1978
The canton of Fribourg declares the Foundation Robert A. Naef to be of public interest.
1979
Start of the fund-raising campaign. A patronage committee is set up. A detailed brochure is printed and published. Search for an appropriate site to build the Observatory.
15.12.1981
The municipality of Épendes grants a building right of 1000 m2 in Petit-Épendes for the Observatory.
1982
Finalization of plans, estimation of construction costs. Creation of a building committee and selection of an architect.
05.04.1983
First sod at Petit-Épendes.
19.05.1984
Inauguration of the Observatory with the participation of inhabitants of Épendes, authorities and the committee of the Swiss Astronomical Society. The Observatory was then managed by the Fribourg Astronomical Society.
17.05.1988
A contract is signed between the Robert A. Naef Foundation and the Adult Education Centre for the management of the Observatory once it has been overhauled. Temporary closure for overhaul work.
11.11.1988
The Observatory is reopened to the public after a few months' closure. Planning for an extension to the Observatory.
1990
Rehabilitation of the Marly–Épendes planetary trail.
1991
Extension work: observation terrace with sliding roof on the first floor, construction of a planetarium.
1992
Publication of a colour brochure.
22.05.1992
Inauguration of the Observatory's new premises.
1993
Project to build a coelostat for the observation of the Sun.
20.03.1994
Inauguration of coelostat during the constitutive assembly of the new Association of Friends of the Observatory of Épendes.
1998
Opening of the first Observatory's website.
2001
Planning of the replacement of the C14 telescope.
2003
Signature of an agreement between the Association and the University of Teacher Education of Fribourg to provide teacher training in the field of astronomy and access of school classes to the Observatory.
22.05.2004
20th anniversary of the Observatory : inauguration of the new Keller telescope and public celebration.
2005
Transformation of the photographic laboratory into a kitchen.
20-21.05.2006
General Meeting of the Swiss Astronomical Society at the Observatory and the University of Teacher Education, with a talk by astronaut Claude Nicollier. Replacement of the planetarium's mechanical device with a Digitarium Alpha digital projector. Christening of the "Épendes" asteroid discovered by Peter Kocher.
2009
100 Hours of Astronomy on 2-5 April at the Observatory and at Collège Saint-Michel. In autumn, hail damage to the cupola.
2011
Acquisition of the Lhires III spectrograph.
2012
Christening of the "Fribourg" asteroid discovered by Peter Kocher.
2014
Asphalting of the Observatoire access road and parking area by the municipality of Épendes.
2015
Acquisition and installation of a new Skywatcher EQ8 mount for the C14 telescope.
2018
New audio and video installation in the Observatory's conference room.
2020
Construction and installation of bleachers in the Observatory conference room.
2021
Acquisition and implementation of a new controller for the Knopf mount of the Keller telescope. Installation of new high-resolution encoders by AOKSwiss and Magnetdrives AG. The telescope can be controlled by tablet or joystick.
2022
Christening of the "Bois d'Amont" asteroid discovered by Peter Kocher.
